HC Deb 28 March 1991 vol 188 cc543-4W
Mr. Soley

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in what order applications for entry of Somalians into Britain are processed; and if there is a priority system for urgent cases.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

Somali family reunion applications are processed in order of their receipt in the Home Office. We consider requests for priority only in exceptional cases.

Mr. Soley

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many civil servants are working on processing applications of Somalians wishing to join their families in Britain.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

There are 18 civil servants employed in the asylum division engaged among other duties in processing Somali family reunion cases. There are also a small number of entry clearance officers at posts outside Somalia who give some time to this work.

Mr. Soley

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average time it takes for applications to be processed for Somalians wishing to enter Britain to be reunited with their families; and what is the longest time for any one case.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

At present, because of conditions in the Horn of Africa, Somali family reunion applicants may, if they wish, lodge an application through a sponsor in the United Kingdom direct to the Home Office, rather than at a post abroad, as would normally be required. The average time between receipt of an application in the asylum division and a decision is 14 months. The oldest unresolved Somali family reunion application was received on 30 November 1989.